Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM vs Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM | CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2018 | November 2019 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM | Seventeen elements in thirteen groups |
| Special elements | One fluorite and five UD elements | Three UD, one Super UD, one aspherical UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements |
| Coatings | Air Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces | – |
| Diaphragm | Eight blades with a circular aperture | Nine circular-aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10° | – |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible |
| Teleconverter support | EF1.4X III gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X III gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slower | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 1.2 m | 0.7 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.21× | 0.23× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Ring-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm | Minimum focus 0.7 m |
| Magnification detail | – | Maximum 0.23× at 200 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | Up to 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditions | Optical IS rated five stops under CIPA; three modes for general use, panning and exposure-only stabilisation |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 88.8 mm | 89.9 mm |
| Length | 199 mm | 146 mm |
| Weight | 1,480 g | 1,070 g (better) |
| Controls | AF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity | Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm |
| Zoom design | Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World) | Extending barrel with 146 mm retracted length at 70 mm |
| Weather resistance | Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount | Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering |
| Dimensions detail | 88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps | Approximately 89.9 mm maximum diameter × 146 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1,480 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual, UK store and Camera Museum; a Canon USA one-page specification chart instead lists approximately 1,440 g | Approximately 1,070 g lens |
| Tripod mount | Included removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar | Removable Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII), included |
| Lens hood | ET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage | ET-83F (WIII) hood included, with filter-adjustment window |
| In the box | ET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual | Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83F hood, LP1424 drawstring case, Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII) and user manual |
| Release detail | Marketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018 | November 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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